Bowel cancer cases in under-50s on the increase across the world

The number of under-50s being diagnosed with bowel cancer is increasing worldwide, according to landmark research that also reveals rates are rising faster in England than in almost any other country.

- Andrew Gregory

For the first time, data suggests doctors are seeing more young adults develop early onset bowel cancer across the globe, from Europe and North America to Asia and Oceania. An increase in rates was reported in 27 of the 50 countries examined, with the greatest annual rises in New Zealand (4%), Chile (4%), Puerto Rico (3.8%), and England (3.6%).

Experts are still in the early stages of understanding the reasons behind the alarming rise. The authors of the study, published in the Lancet Oncology, said consumption of junk food, high levels of physical inactivity and the obesity epidemic were likely to be among the factors.